New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on July 21 announced combined clean energy solicitations that seek up to 4,000 megawatts of renewable capacity. Cuomo’s office said that these are the largest combined clean energy solicitations ever issued in the U.S.
New York's second offshore wind solicitation is seeking up to 2,500 MW of projects, in addition to last year's solicitation which resulted in nearly 1,700 MW awarded.
The solicitation includes a multi-port strategy and requirement for offshore wind generators to partner with any of the 11 prequalified New York ports to stage, construct, manufacture key components, or coordinate operations and maintenance activities.
This solicitation has the potential to bring New York State halfway toward its goal of 9,000 MW of offshore wind by 2035 and meet Cuomo's climate and environment goals under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.
Funding for port investments will include $400 million in both public and private funding.
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) will accept offshore wind bids between 400 megawatts and up to 2,500 megawatts.
The combined solicitation requests proposals for investment in port infrastructure, aimed to further incentivize private investment, and maximize economic benefits and job creation for New Yorkers while driving future cost reductions for this technology and establishing New York as the hub of the offshore wind supply chain, Cuomo’s office said.
Solicitations for land-based renewables
In addition to the offshore wind solicitation, Cuomo also announced the issuance by NYSERDA and the New York Power Authority of the nation's largest coordinated solicitations for land based large-scale renewable energy projects by a U.S. state, under New York State’s Clean Energy Standard.
Together, the combined solicitations from NYSERDA and NYPA seek to procure over 1,500 MW of renewable energy.
Applicable land-based projects selected will be fast-tracked to construction under legislation passed in the budget to accelerate renewable energy siting to ensure the projects are developed responsibly and quickly so the state meets its Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act mandate.
"New York is leading the transformation to a clean energy economy by accelerating the development of more large-scale solar and wind projects in every corner of the state,” said NYPA President and CEO Gil Quiniones.
“To achieve our national-leading goal of 100 percent carbon free electricity by 2040 and to make lasting impacts against the ravages of climate change, we must act now,” he said.
“NYPA's solicitation calls for utility-scale renewable projects that will produce an annual output of up to 2 million MWh or more. As these major solar and wind projects, some with an option for storage, come online we will reduce emissions, harness our abundance of natural resources, and boost economic development in all regions of our state setting the example for others."
NYSERDA Large-Scale Renewables Solicitation
NYSERDA's solicitation calls for the development of Tier-1 eligible renewable energy projects that will generate 1.6 million megawatt hours or more annually.
Eligible projects include any project that can be certified as a Tier 1 renewable technology and entered operation after January 1, 2015, and that enters commercial operation by November 30, 2022, with the option for extensions to November 30, 2025.
NYSERDA expects to notify the awarded developers in early 2021.
For the first time, NYSERDA will allow proposers to utilize the innovative Index REC contract structure to provide clean energy developers with more flexibility to adapt to their financing and operational needs, Cuomo’s office noted.
NYPA Large-Scale Renewables Solicitation
NYPA's solicitation calls for the development of utility-scale renewable projects that will produce an annual output of up to 2 million MWh or more.
Eligible technologies include solar photovoltaic and wind and may include an option to pair with energy storage.
Projects are required to interconnect into New York State and have a generation capacity that falls within the category of 20-25 MW or 100 MW or greater.
The 2 million MWh goal can be served by one or multiple projects. The contracts offered will be for a bundled product which will include energy, capacity and RECs. The selected projects are expected to come online between 2021 and 2024, and winning bidders will be announced by year end 2020.
State has awarded 67 large scale projects since 2018
New York has awarded 67 large scale renewable energy projects since 2018.
These previously announced land-based renewable awards combined with New York's record-breaking commitment to offshore wind announced last year will be capable of generating over 11 percent of the state's expected electricity demand in 2030, Cuomo’s office said.
